Preparing for Graduate School in
Psychology
Important Factors in Graduate Admissions
(Keith-Spiegel)
 158 faculty who had served on admissions committees
 Told to assume that grades, test scores, and letters
of recommendation were important and asked to
rate 138 other factors using a scale that ranged
from -3 to +3
 -3 = negative or detracts significantly from application
+3 = very impressive and significantly enhances
application
Important Factors in Graduate Admissions
 Published author of a paper (2.89)
 Sole author of paper presentation (2.49)
 Letter from mentor (2.45)
 Letter from well-known psychologist (2.45)
 Personal statement shows sustained focus (2.39)
 Junior authorship on research article (2.28)
 Top 5% of class (overall GPA) (2.28)
 Writes well (2.28)
 Includes research paper/Senior Thesis (2.19)
 Establishes “match” with graduate
program (2.05)
Important Factors in Graduate Admissions
 Sole author of paper presentation at undergraduate
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conferences (2.05)
Research Assistant (2.04)
“Self-starter,” according to recommendation (1.96)
Junior author of paper presentation (1.96)
Won departmental research award (1.92)
Highly motivated to achieve (1.86)
Participated in Honor’s program (1.82)
Responsible and dependable (1.72)
Member of Phi Beta Kappa or other
scholarship program (1.68)
•Preparation within the classroom
-overall class standing
-participation in Honor’s program
-membership in scholarly associations
•Preparations outside the classroom
-research
-presentations
-faculty appraisals
Preparing Within Your Classroom
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Classes to take
Grades to make
Introduce yourself
Be an active learner
Read primary sources
Study to learn (the material),
not earn (the grade)
1. Classes to Take
 Statistics
 Research Methods
 Psychology of Learning
 Experimental Psychology
 Developmental Psychology
 Physiological Psychology
 Abnormal Psychology
 Cognitive Psychology
 Sensation and Perception
2. Grades to Make
 Overall, 3.3 for Masters programs
and 3.5 for Doctoral programs
 Three GPAs
-overall GPA
-GPA in the major
-GPA in the last two years
 Most undergraduates concentrate
too much on their GPAs and too
little on other factors
3. Introduce Yourself
 Introduce yourself to your professor after the
first or second class
 Professors enjoy knowing their students
 Aspiring graduate students are special
 “I just wanted to introduce myself. My name
is ______, and I’m really looking forward to this
class. I’m considering graduate study in the field
and I know this class will be helpful to me in
deciding on my directions and preparing for
graduate school.”
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4. Be an Active Learner
 Ask questions
 Ask for additional readings
 Talk to your professor after class
 Volunteer for extra-credit opportunities
 Take leadership in projects
or presentations
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5. Read Primary Sources
 Note references in your textbook and look up
interesting articles
 Start reviewing journals in your area(s)
of interest
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6. Orient Towards Learning (the Material),
not Earning (the Grade)
 Don’t forget that your grade is a means toward and end
 Grades aren’t as important in graduate school
-grades of a “B” or better are required
-no one ever looks at your grades again
 In graduate school, good grades are
necessary but not sufficient
-
Preparing Outside Your Classroom
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Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
Finding the Best Program
Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
Become involved in research
Do a Senior Thesis or an Honor’s Thesis
Publish or present your research
Volunteer in the community
Go to departmental presentations
Assume leadership positions
Go to office hours and develop
relationships with professors
Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
Become involved in research
Do a Senior Thesis or an Honor’s Thesis
Publish or present your research
Volunteer in the community
Go to departmental presentations
Assume leadership positions
Go to office hours and develop
relationships with professors
Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
Become involved in research
Do a Senior Thesis or an Honor’s Thesis
Publish or present your research
Volunteer in the community
Go to departmental presentations
Assume leadership positions
Go to office hours and develop
relationships with professors
Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
Become involved in research
Do a Senior Thesis or an Honor’s Thesis
Publish or present your research
Volunteer in the community
Go to departmental presentations
Assume leadership positions
Go to office hours and develop
relationships with professors
Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
Become involved in research
Do a Senior Thesis or an Honor’s Thesis
Publish or present your research
Volunteer in the community
Go to departmental presentations
Assume leadership positions
Go to office hours and develop
relationships with professors
Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
Become involved in research
Do a Senior Thesis or an Honor’s Thesis
Publish or present your research
Volunteer in the community
Go to departmental presentations
Assume leadership positions
Go to office hours and develop
relationships with professors
Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
Become involved in research
Do a Senior Thesis or an Honor’s Thesis
Publish or present your research
Volunteer in the community
Go to departmental presentations
Assume leadership positions
Go to office hours and develop
relationships with professors
Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
Become involved in research
Do a Senior Thesis or an Honor’s Thesis
Publish or present your research
Volunteer in the community
Go to departmental presentations
Assume leadership positions
Go to office hours and develop
relationships with professors
Developing Experiences, Qualifications
and Contacts
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
Become involved in research
Do a Senior Thesis or an Honor’s Thesis
Publish or present your research
Volunteer in the community
Go to departmental presentations
Assume leadership positions
Go to office hours and develop
relationships with professors